Dangers Of Terracotta?

[simonero]

I've been reading everywhere that terracotta pots are a great aquascaping cave.
 
I asked my mom if I could have a few of hers to save money and she immediately started going on about how it was a bad idea and the wrong thing for a fish tank because of "oxidation and deterioration".  Granted, she doesn't know much about fish tanks, but she does know more than plenty about gardening.
 
 
I haven't seen anything about this anywhere.  Is this a valid concern?  At least, the idea that the pot might eventually deteriorate and break down into some sort of chemicals or substrate that might affect the composition of my tank or health of my fishies?
 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I would be more concerned about the chemicals that might have been used on the terra cotta while it was in the garden - pesticides, fertilizers, etc.
 
 
Ultimately, terra cotta won't break down in a fishtank - as long as they are unfinished (unglazed) and unpainted.  But, I would suggest that they are brand new and that you fill the hole in the bottom, or break them in half so that the fish don't get stuck in there - because, yes, it can happen.

 

[JenJ]

Don't know if they're easily available where you are, but I bought a pack of 10 plastic flowerpots from my local hardware store - cost under £2.


An advantage of plastic pots is that you can cut various sizes - so can have a shallow pot, a deep one etc, without having to smash terracotta.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Don't know if they're easily available where you are, but I bought a pack of 10 plastic flowerpots from my local hardware store - cost under £2.


An advantage of plastic pots is that you can cut various sizes - so can have a shallow pot, a deep one etc, without having to smash terracotta.

 
That's the fun part...